The Escape of the Cubicle

The Great Resignation will transform future work environments

Great Depression, Great Recession, and now the Great Resignation. Names of economic trends with the word “great” are historically haunting due to their devastating outcomes. Breaking this pattern, the Great Resignation might have a positive future impact on employees across the country.

The onerous feeling of burnout, coupled with the pandemic, has led 4 million employees to resign from their jobs this past July alone, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Texas A&M Professor Anthony Klotz predicted and coined this phenomenon, the “Great Resignation” back in May. It is a daunting trend that has the job market hanging by a thread, but it is going to be the most effective wake up call for all companies that continue to exploit their employees.

So, why are employees so enticed to quit right now? Because they know they deserve better. And they do.

Unfair work conditions, toxic work environments, employee burnout and the pandemic all contribute to the staggering number of people currently quitting their jobs. Employers have taken advantage of their employees for far too long — the Great Resignation will finally give some power back to the 150+ million people in America’s workforce.

Many CEOs and bosses have cultivated a workplace that is too difficult for people to stay in, whether that be from disregarding employee concerns about COVID safety, the transition to remote from in person work, or vice versa and an overall lack of support from leadership in companies.

These leaders must recognize that their employees are the biggest reason why they collect massive paychecks at the end of each year. Company leadership needs to address the Great Resignation for what it is — a demand for change.

It is apparent that Americans are over the pressure of retaining the stereotypical 9-5 jobs that were romanticized by the white-picket fence lovers of the fifties.

Justifiably so, they are now willing to quit. It’s unreasonable to think that the workplace has to hold a similar structure to what it was decades ago. The technology has changed, the job market has changed and now it is time the workplace changes too.

The Great Resignation is an opportunity for companies to restructure. Hybrid work schedules and longer vacations are among a few changes that may encourage higher job retention rates and happier employees. This has been successful in Denmark, a country with one of the highest job satisfaction ratings in the world, because they implemented at least multi-week vacation periods, shorter hourly work weeks and frequent job training/development programs. Consequently, employee stress is reduced, which is critical to prioritize during the transition from a virtual workplace.

Many of the people who are resigning are turning their efforts toward achieving their dream job, or pursuing their passions. Consequently, as resignation rates rise, the rate of self-employment rises in the country as well, surmounting to over 10 million people reporting self-employment this past August, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. This transition is pivotal for the job market because it will challenge companies to rethink their current work cultures, and shows how employees are sick and tired of work being the only centerpiece of their life.

What’s most upsetting about the Great Resignation is that not everyone who wants to participate actually can.

Many employees are not in a position to financially support a career change. Those who can’t afford this change are most commonly service or factory industry employees that are paid unfair wages and were given little support during the pandemic. They are now stuck with no choice but to stay at their job.

The people who cannot quit are disproportionately women, people of color, individuals with disabilities and immigrants. Proving marginalized individuals in the workplace are commonly taken advantage of and are seen as expendable, the Great Resignation has the potential to be a catalyst for change that demands companies to rethink their treatment toward their employees.

If the unemployed can afford it, they should stay home until they see the change that they are looking for. Employment is an essential part of participating in the American economy, but individuals shouldn’t dread their trip to their cubicle every morning because they are unhappy and stressed about their work responsibilities.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 8.4 million unemployed, but 10 million available jobs, which should be a statistic of concern for companies. This number tells us that employees are no longer willing to let a less than desirable work environment be their burden, especially during a pandemic; millions of people were overworked and felt resentment toward their jobs. It is the companies’ responsibility to change the culture, so their workplace is not a dreaded, but exciting, place to be.

Employees mobilizing in a union-like fashion nationwide have exposed the flaws in the American workplace. They have demonstrated that in 2021, work is not what their life will be centered around, and that companies must support employees by creating a desirable work environment.

What does all of this say about the American workforce? They knew it was time for a change before their own companies did. The Great Resignation tells us and future generations not to underestimate the average employee, because they have a lot more power than what meets the eye.

Graphic Credit: Frida Rivera